Jamie Noon has pointed to a successful return to club rugby with the Newcastle Falcons as the launch pad for arguably his best performance in an England shirt during the 47-13 destruction of Wales.

Noon had been singled out for criticism during the autumn tests against Australia and New Zealand as England's back division struggled against their southern hemisphere opponents.

The Falcons centre was written off by some following his omission from the side which beat Samoa at the end of the autumn international programme and there were many who felt his pairing with Mike Tindall lacked the imagination and flair to enable England to compete with the best in the world.

But Noon and Tindall responded with comfortably their best joint display as England comprehensively outplayed a weakened Welsh side to get their RBS 6 Nations Championship off to the ideal start.

"I was hurt when I wasn't picked for the Samoa game in the autumn," said Noon, whose break from midfield and pass to Mark Cueto broke the deadlock at Twickenham on Saturday. "I'd played against two very tough defences in Australia and New Zealand and there would have been more time and space to exploit against Samoa. I was disappointed and you do feel as though your chance might have gone.

"To be fair to Andy (Robinson), he said he just wanted to have a look at other options, but I can't deny that my confidence was affected by it. Thankfully I went back home to Newcastle and we beat Wasps that weekend, which in the wider scheme of things was more important.

"Newcastle have been great, Rob Andrew was fantastic, but there are a lot of experienced rugby heads up there and they've helped lift me. It has helped me that we're also starting to play some good rugby.

"Our performances have improved markedly since the autumn and that has helped me play some good rugby and get my confidence back."

While Twickenham rejoiced at Wales' destruction, Noon was keen to put a brake on the surge of optimism which has followed, particularly, as he suggested, because criticism was part and parcel of international rugby.

"There is always going to be criticism when you're playing rugby at this level," said the 26-year-old, who picked up his 13th cap at the weekend.

"I feel as though I've answered some of the criticism today and I'm sure Mike is the same, but there is still room for improvement. This was only our third game together as a pair and there is a lot still to do.